“Why?”
“Because my son cares about you, and I made a promise to do right by them.”
“What does that mean?” My voice quivers.
“It means you can stay here for as long as you need to.”
“I can’t stay here,” I blurt out.
“I thought you might say that. What will you do? Go back to Warren?” His brow lifts, but I don’t find any judgement there, only sympathy and pity I don’t want to see.
“I... no, I don’t know.”
“I know you told Conner you were attacked, but we’ve had our fair share of family drama over the last few months not to recognize a cry for help.”
“I’m not... that’s not what this is. I didn’t ask Jay to bring me here.”
“Kennedy,” he lets out a soft sigh, raking his fingers through his salt and pepper hair, “that’s not what I mean.”
“O-oh.” I hate that I sound so weak, but despite not wanting to stay here, I know that I can’t go back to Warren. Not after what he did. I’d rather run. I’d rather pack a bag and take off.
“Look, I sense there is a story there between you and my son. That is yours to tell, so I won’t push you for the details. But I also won’t send you back to the Heights until I’m confident you have a safe place to stay. I spoke to a couple of friends, and there’s another option, if you want to hear it?”
Hesitating, I stare at him. Then I whisper, “Okay.”
“Hadley, Cole’s girlfriend, boards up at the school. There’s a spare room in her dorm building. It’s yours if you want it. Principal Vager is willing to talk to Sterling Heights High to see if you have enough credits to graduate high school. If you do, you can transfer, finish classes at Sterling Prep, and graduate in May.”
“You managed to organize all that in less than a day?” Disbelief coats my words.
“I have... connections,” he says cryptically.
Connections and a fat check book.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve made enough mistakes with my boys. I won’t make the same mistake twice,” he says as if it’s that simple.
Everyone had heard the recent rumors that Conner and his brothers were in fact James’ kids, but none of us know the history there. I know the boys suffered at the hands of their mom, though, and although it devastated me when Conner left, I can already see he’s better off here.
“I can really stay at the school?” I ask, hardly able to believe what he’s telling me. But then reality crashes over me.
I can’t go to Sterling Prep. I’m not like the kids who go there. I’m not rich. I don’t drive an expensive car or wear the best designers. Unless I try and sneak into Warren’s and get my stuff, I have nothing but the clothes folded neatly on the chair.
I’m from the Heights, where life is hard and you do what you gotta do to survive.
There’s no way I can go to Sterling Prep, no matter how tempting his offer is. Besides, Conner will be there. It’ll mean seeing him day in, day out.
“It’s a lot to process. Why don’t you take some time to think about it.” James gets up and moves to the door.
“Wait,” I call after him. “What happens if I say no?”
“You’re a minor, Kennedy.”
It’s a threat.
One I don’t need explaining.
He’s prepared to help me, but if I choose not to accept his offer, he won’t hesitate to call the authorities.
Fuck.
“Get some rest. We’ll talk again soon.” He slips out of the room, and, once again, I’m alone.
I know James means well, but he doesn’t understand the consequences for a girl like me to attend a place like Sterling Prep. Besides, Warren won’t just cut me loose. He’ll come for me eventually.
But I can’t deny that no matter how much I would rather not be here, it’s the safest I’ve felt in weeks. Warren is volatile and possessive. I never know which version of him I’m going to get. It’s exhausting, constantly living on edge, waiting for his barbed words and cruel touch.
Maybe staying in Sterling Bay is the better option.
But as I close my eyes and Conner’s face fills my mind, I know I’d only be trading one nightmare for another.
I jolt from a restless sleep. My breath hitches at the sight of Conner standing over me.
“Kenny,” he slurs. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah, asshole, because you woke me.”
“I just needed... shit, babe.” He lets out a small breath and the bitter scent of liquor invades my senses.
“You’re drunk.”
“Shh.” He presses a finger to his lips and smirks. “Don’t tell anyone. I told Hadley I wouldn’t drink any more.”
“What is she? Like your keeper or something?” Anger ripples through me, but I can’t help it. I’m powerless here. Just like I was powerless to stop Warren.
His expression falls. “You’re different.” He reaches out and ghosts his finger over my nose. I lay rigid on the bed, hardly able to breathe. His touch is soft and tender... cautious. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Well, maybe once. “But you look and feel just the same.”
“Conner...” I sigh, and for a split second, I contemplate taking what he’s offering. His comfort, his friendship. But I can’t. I can’t forget.
I won’t.
“Get the fuck away from me,” I hiss, and he staggers back, collapsing into the chair.
“You hate me.” His frowns deepens. “Well, join the fucking club. I did this. Me. I’ll never—”
“Conner?”
“Yeah, babe?”
“Shut up.”
“I wish... I wish things were different. I wish I’d never left and you were...” he trails off, and I’m too chicken shit to ask what the hell he’s talking about.
He’s drunk.
I know they say people speak the truth when they’re drunk, but I also know you can’t trust people when they’re liquored up.
Deep down, I know you can’t trust anyone.
Guys will tell you what you want to hear, shower you with compliments and sweet nothings, and then once they’ve taken what they want, they’ll crush your heart with their bare hands.
“You can leave now,” I snap when he starts making himself comfortable in the chair.
“Can’t.”
“Conner, this isn’t going to work for me. I need you to—”
“Go, yeah. Got the memo. You hate me. You never want to see me again. Well, guess what, babe?” He leans forward, swaying gently. “I don’t fucking care. I’m not leaving until someone removes me. So you’re stuck with me.”
“I’ll go then.” I sit up, crying out when pain splinters through me.
“Shit, K,” Conner leaps up, rushing to my side. His hand slides over my shoulder and our eyes connect. The air crackles, thick with the ghosts of our past. Emotion shines in Conner’s ocean blue eyes, but I know it’s only guilt. But then his gaze drops to my lips and he swallows as if he’s imagining kissing me.
Strangled laughter bubbles in my chest. I’m losing my mind. That or I’m still high on the pain meds Dr. Miles gave me. Conner doesn’t want me. He never did. That’s why I’m lying here broken and bruised, on the inside and out.